From The Greek Orthodox Arch-Diocese of America:
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Daily Scripture Readings and Lives of the Saints for Friday, January 28, 2011
Strict Fast
Readings for today:
St. Paul's Letter to the Galatians 5:22-26; 6:1-2
Luke 6:17-23
Feasts and Saints celebrated today:
Ephraim the Syrian
Isaac the Syrian, Bishop of Ninevah
James the Righteous
Palladios the Hermit of Antioch
Epistle Reading
The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Galatians 5:22-26; 6:1-2
Brethren, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,
goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such there is no
law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh
with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also
walk by the Spirit. Let us have no self-conceit, no provoking of one
another, no envy of one another. Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any
trespass, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of
gentleness. Look to yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another's
burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
(C) 2011 Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
Gospel Reading
The reading is from Luke 6:17-23
At that time, Jesus stood on a level place, with a great crowd of
his disciples and a great multitude of people from all Judea and
Jerusalem and the seacoast of Tyre and Sidon, who came to hear him and to
be healed of their diseases; and those who were troubled with
unclean spirits were cured. And all the crowd sought to touch him, for
power came forth from him and healed them all. And he lifted up his
eyes on His disciples, and said: "Blessed are you poor, for yours is
the Kingdom of God. Blessed are you that hunger now, for you shall
be satisfied. Blessed are you that weep now, for you shall laugh.
Blessed are you when men hate you, and when they exclude you and revile
you, and cast out your name as evil, on account of the Son of man!
Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great
in heaven."
(C) 2011 Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
Ephraim the Syrian
Reading from the Synaxarion:
Saint Ephraim was born in Nisibis of Mesopotamia some time about the
year 306, and in his youth was the disciple of Saint James, Bishop of
Nisibis, one of the 318 Fathers at the First Ecumenical Council. Ephraim
lived in Nisibis, practicing a severe ascetical life and increasing in
holiness, until 363, the year in which Julian the Apostate was slain in his
war against the Persians, and his successor Jovian surrendered
Nisibis to them. Ephraim then made his dwelling in Edessa, where he
found many heresies to do battle with. He waged an especial war
against Bardaisan; this gnostic had written many hymns propagating his
errors, which by their sweet melodies became popular and enticed souls
away from the truth. Saint Ephraim, having received from God a
singular gift of eloquence, turned Bardaisan's own weapon against him, and
wrote a multitude of hymns to be chanted by choirs of women, which set
forth the true doctrines, refuted heretical error, and praised the
contests of the Martyrs.
Of the multitude of sermons, commentaries, and hymns that Saint
Ephraim wrote, many were translated into Greek in his own lifetime.
Sozomen says that Ephraim "Surpassed the most approved writers of
Greece," observing that the Greek writings, when translated into other
tongues, lose most of their original beauty, but Ephraim's works "are no
less admired when read in Greek than when read in Syriac" (Eccl.
Hist., Book 111, 16). Saint Ephraim was ordained deacon, some say by
Saint Basil the Great, whom Sozomen said "was a great admirer of
Ephraim, and was astonished at his erudition." Saint Ephraim was the
first to make the poetic expression of hymnody and song a vehicle of
Orthodox theological teachings, constituting it an integral part of the
Church's worship; he may rightly be called the first and greatest
hymnographer of the Church, who set the pattern for these who followed him,
especially Saint Romanos the Melodist. Because of this he is called the
"Harp of the Holy Spirit." Jerome says that his writings were read in
some churches after the reading of the Scriptures, and adds that once
he read a Greek translation of one of Ephraim's works, "and
recognized, even in translation, the incisive power of his lofty genius" (De
vir. ill., ch. CXV).
Shortly before the end of his life, a famine broke out in Edessa, and
Saint Ephraim left his cell to rebuke the rich for not sharing their
goods with the poor. The rich answered that they knew no one to whom
they could entrust their goods. Ephraim asked them, "What do you
think of me?" When they confessed their reverence for him, he offered
to distribute their alms, to which they agreed. He himself cared
with his own hands for many of the sick from the famine, and so
crowned his life with mercy and love for neighbor. Saint Ephraim reposed
in peace, according to some in the year 373, according to others,
379.
Apolytikion in the Fourth Tone
With the rivers of your tears, you have made the barren desert
fertile. Through sighs of sorrow from deep within you, your labors have
borne fruit a hundred-fold. By your miracles you have become a light,
shining upon the world. O Ephraim, our Holy Father, pray to Christ our
God, to save our souls.
Kontakion in the Second Tone
At all times didst thou foresee the hour of reckoning, and pricked
in thy heart, thou ever didst lament with tears; and, O righteous
Ephraim, thou wast a mighty teacher in works and deeds. Hence, O Father
for all the world, thou didst rouse the slothful unto change of
heart.
Reading courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery
Apolytikion courtesy of Narthex Press
Kontakion courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery
Isaac the Syrian, Bishop of Ninevah
Apolytikion in the Plagal of the First Tone
He that thundered on Sinai with saving laws for man hath also given
thy writings as guides in prayer unto monks, O revealer of
unfathomable mysteries; for having gone up in the mount of the vision of the
Lord, thou wast shown the many mansions. Wherefore, O God-bearing
Isaac, entreat the Saviour for all praising thee.
Kontakion in the Plagal of the Fourth Tone
As an ascetic and God-bearer great in righteousness and an
instructor of monastics do we honour thee, thou revealer of things sacred,
and our protector. But, O Isaac, since thou hast great boldness with
the Lord, intercede with Him for all of us who sing thy praise and
who cry to thee: Rejoice, O Father most wise in God.
Apolytikion courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery
Kontakion courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery
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Daily Scripture Readings and Lives of the Saints for Friday, January 28, 2011
Strict Fast
Readings for today:
St. Paul's Letter to the Galatians 5:22-26; 6:1-2
Luke 6:17-23
Feasts and Saints celebrated today:
Ephraim the Syrian
Isaac the Syrian, Bishop of Ninevah
James the Righteous
Palladios the Hermit of Antioch
Epistle Reading
The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Galatians 5:22-26; 6:1-2
Brethren, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,
goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such there is no
law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh
with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also
walk by the Spirit. Let us have no self-conceit, no provoking of one
another, no envy of one another. Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any
trespass, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of
gentleness. Look to yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another's
burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
(C) 2011 Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
Gospel Reading
The reading is from Luke 6:17-23
At that time, Jesus stood on a level place, with a great crowd of
his disciples and a great multitude of people from all Judea and
Jerusalem and the seacoast of Tyre and Sidon, who came to hear him and to
be healed of their diseases; and those who were troubled with
unclean spirits were cured. And all the crowd sought to touch him, for
power came forth from him and healed them all. And he lifted up his
eyes on His disciples, and said: "Blessed are you poor, for yours is
the Kingdom of God. Blessed are you that hunger now, for you shall
be satisfied. Blessed are you that weep now, for you shall laugh.
Blessed are you when men hate you, and when they exclude you and revile
you, and cast out your name as evil, on account of the Son of man!
Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great
in heaven."
(C) 2011 Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
Ephraim the Syrian
Reading from the Synaxarion:
Saint Ephraim was born in Nisibis of Mesopotamia some time about the
year 306, and in his youth was the disciple of Saint James, Bishop of
Nisibis, one of the 318 Fathers at the First Ecumenical Council. Ephraim
lived in Nisibis, practicing a severe ascetical life and increasing in
holiness, until 363, the year in which Julian the Apostate was slain in his
war against the Persians, and his successor Jovian surrendered
Nisibis to them. Ephraim then made his dwelling in Edessa, where he
found many heresies to do battle with. He waged an especial war
against Bardaisan; this gnostic had written many hymns propagating his
errors, which by their sweet melodies became popular and enticed souls
away from the truth. Saint Ephraim, having received from God a
singular gift of eloquence, turned Bardaisan's own weapon against him, and
wrote a multitude of hymns to be chanted by choirs of women, which set
forth the true doctrines, refuted heretical error, and praised the
contests of the Martyrs.
Of the multitude of sermons, commentaries, and hymns that Saint
Ephraim wrote, many were translated into Greek in his own lifetime.
Sozomen says that Ephraim "Surpassed the most approved writers of
Greece," observing that the Greek writings, when translated into other
tongues, lose most of their original beauty, but Ephraim's works "are no
less admired when read in Greek than when read in Syriac" (Eccl.
Hist., Book 111, 16). Saint Ephraim was ordained deacon, some say by
Saint Basil the Great, whom Sozomen said "was a great admirer of
Ephraim, and was astonished at his erudition." Saint Ephraim was the
first to make the poetic expression of hymnody and song a vehicle of
Orthodox theological teachings, constituting it an integral part of the
Church's worship; he may rightly be called the first and greatest
hymnographer of the Church, who set the pattern for these who followed him,
especially Saint Romanos the Melodist. Because of this he is called the
"Harp of the Holy Spirit." Jerome says that his writings were read in
some churches after the reading of the Scriptures, and adds that once
he read a Greek translation of one of Ephraim's works, "and
recognized, even in translation, the incisive power of his lofty genius" (De
vir. ill., ch. CXV).
Shortly before the end of his life, a famine broke out in Edessa, and
Saint Ephraim left his cell to rebuke the rich for not sharing their
goods with the poor. The rich answered that they knew no one to whom
they could entrust their goods. Ephraim asked them, "What do you
think of me?" When they confessed their reverence for him, he offered
to distribute their alms, to which they agreed. He himself cared
with his own hands for many of the sick from the famine, and so
crowned his life with mercy and love for neighbor. Saint Ephraim reposed
in peace, according to some in the year 373, according to others,
379.
Apolytikion in the Fourth Tone
With the rivers of your tears, you have made the barren desert
fertile. Through sighs of sorrow from deep within you, your labors have
borne fruit a hundred-fold. By your miracles you have become a light,
shining upon the world. O Ephraim, our Holy Father, pray to Christ our
God, to save our souls.
Kontakion in the Second Tone
At all times didst thou foresee the hour of reckoning, and pricked
in thy heart, thou ever didst lament with tears; and, O righteous
Ephraim, thou wast a mighty teacher in works and deeds. Hence, O Father
for all the world, thou didst rouse the slothful unto change of
heart.
Reading courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery
Apolytikion courtesy of Narthex Press
Kontakion courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery
Isaac the Syrian, Bishop of Ninevah
Apolytikion in the Plagal of the First Tone
He that thundered on Sinai with saving laws for man hath also given
thy writings as guides in prayer unto monks, O revealer of
unfathomable mysteries; for having gone up in the mount of the vision of the
Lord, thou wast shown the many mansions. Wherefore, O God-bearing
Isaac, entreat the Saviour for all praising thee.
Kontakion in the Plagal of the Fourth Tone
As an ascetic and God-bearer great in righteousness and an
instructor of monastics do we honour thee, thou revealer of things sacred,
and our protector. But, O Isaac, since thou hast great boldness with
the Lord, intercede with Him for all of us who sing thy praise and
who cry to thee: Rejoice, O Father most wise in God.
Apolytikion courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery
Kontakion courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery
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